Learn how to create unique styles and finishes for your next chalk paint project

Enjoy this selection of handy tips and video tutorials from Tjhoko Paint and Mezzie + Frank that will walk you through a selection of techniques and effects, step by step, on how to chalk paint furniture and other decor items. Be sure to subscribe to their Youtube Channels to stay up to date with the latest tips.

Tjhoko Paint Tips & Techniques

How To Clean Or Prepare A Surface Before You Start Painting
  • Use Lacquer Thinners to wipe the surface PROPERLY down before starting to paint.
  • Allow to dry for 20 minutes and start painting.
  • For very oily, polished surfaces also use Lacquer Thinners. Take a cloth, wet it with Lacquer…
Cleaning Equipment After Paintwork is Completed
  • Wash all brushes, rollers, scrapers with water (NO CHEMICALS NEEDED) directly after finishing the paintwork.
  • Once finished using your Consol filled with Tjhoko and Glazes, reapply a wax paper to prevent the paint and sealant from sticking to the metal plate. If it happens that you forget to do so, just hold the closed Consol Jar underneath a running tap of warm water and it will open or gently knock with a spoon.
How to Dry Brush
  • Paint your surface the colour of your choice. (It also works well on non-painted surfaces.)
  • Allow to dry.
  • Apply second contrasting colour by using a very dry brush. Dip the brush in the paint and remove any excess paint.
  • Use only one side of the brush with little paint on it and work only in one direction.
  • Important: The brush needs to be dry and little paint is required. Ensure that the paint is evenly and thinly applied onto the paintbrush.
    Movement is only in one direction. After each stroke, the movement is repeated.
  • One or more colours can be brushed, depending on the look you want to create.
  • To seal for a washable, water- and UV resistant surface use the Clear Glaze four hours after the paint application (Glazes are discussed further down on the Tips page)
Create a Distressed Look
  1. Use the “Vaseline trick” for a distressed look. Apply Pure Petroleum Jelly or Vaseline roughly with a brush (not your paintbrush) on the edges on the raw wood before starting to paint. Never put the Vaseline brush back into the paint. (It can also be applied on a painted surface.) The paint won’t stick on the Vaseline areas. Paint onto the surface. Wait for the paint to dry and use a paint scraper and remove the paint from the Vaseline coated areas. Lightly sand with 100 Grit piece of sandpaper to remove any excess oil left behind from Vaseline.
  2. Repeat the process, applying Vaseline each time on a different area and using different contrasting colours of paint.
  3. Use a fine 100-200 grid piece of sandpaper to smooth everything out. The sandpaper will also remove any excess Vaseline.
    • A second method to create a distressed look is the “old sandpaper” method. Sand, sand and sand!
  4. You can even combine the two methods.
White Wash For Indoor Raw Brick / Timber Walls
  1. This technique is only a success on a raw timber or raw brick surface.
  2. Mix equal quantities of paint and water together and apply onto the surface with a paintbrush (small areas at a time) and evenly spread and wipe with a damp cloth. A clean, colourless, damp mutton cloth works well.
  3. More than one colour can be used. Wait for the first colour to dry before starting to wash with the next.
Create a Washed Effect
  1. Clean and paint the desired surface. Wait for the basecoat to dry completely (more or less an hour).
  2. Next, dampen a clean, colourless cloth with water and remove any excess moisture.
  3. Brush some paint onto the damp cloth and evenly spread it onto the cloth.
  4. Fold the cloth like a ball in the palm of your hand (fold the hems away)
  5. Apply light pressure and gently move with circular movements onto the painted surface.
  6. Wait for the first colour and coat to dry and repeat the process with different complementing colours. This creates a mottled and washed finish. It’s also a great technique to follow to get an antique finish on furniture items or walls.
How To Paint With Metallic Tjhoko Colours
  1. Clean the surface well by wiping clean with a cloth dipped in Lacquer Thinners
  2. Wait 20 minutes for Thinners to dry.
  3. Use a dry, clean paintbrush for painting.
  4. Paint a base coat in one of the Tjhoko Paint colours like Sherif’s Stone and allow to dry.
  5. Stir the Metallic Paint well before and during use.
  6. Paint with a clean, dry brush.
  7. Allow for each coat of paint to dry completely before applying the next coat.
  8. Coverage of metallic paints differ from normal Tjhoko colours due to the waterbased metallic composition.
  9. The dry-brush technique is also recommendable.
Stencil Work
  1. Use very little paint and work with a dry foam roller or stencil brush.
  2. Secure your stencil using masking tape.
  3. Evenly spread the paint onto the applicator – foam roller or stencil brush (a foam roller works well on larger surfaces like walls). Remove any excess paint to prevent paint from leaking underneath the stencil.
  4. Move stencil brush in a circular movement on top of the stencil to evenly apply stencil work/roll foam roller with little paint evenly distributed on top of the stencil to get an even smooth stencil application.
How to Stencil on Fabric
  • Ensure that it is a natural woven fabric and not synthetic fibre. Cotton, suede works well.
  • Remember that paint will change the feel and texture of fabric.
  • To do stencil work on fabric follow the steps for stencil work.
  • Do not clean the fabric with Lacquer Thinners.
  • Once stencil work is complete, allow for paint to dry and then iron on the back of the design.
  • Should you need to wash the stencilled item, make use of a cold water hand wash.


To paint onto upholstered surfaces:

  • Cotton, suede works well.
  • Spray the surface with water.
  • Apply an even coat of paint.
  • Allow to dry and then apply a second or third coat.
  • Wait for paint to dry in between coats.
  • The amount of coats required depends on the absorbency of the fabric being painted.
  • No sealant is required.


Stencil of Paris
  1. Secure your stencil using masking tape.
  2. Use a paint scraper and apply the Stencil of Paris on top of the secured stencil. Determine the desired thickness of the Stencil of Paris and work accordingly.
  3. Once the Stencil of Paris is spread evenly on top of the stencil with the paint scraper, the stencil can be removed from the surface while the Stencil of Paris is still wet.
  4. Immediately wash the scraper and stencil in lukewarm water.
  5. Wait until Stencil of Paris is completely dry and sand down for a smooth finish or leave as is for a rustic look.
  6. You can paint over Stencil of Paris, once completely dry or leave as is.
Clear Glaze Application
  1. As the name describes, it is clear – colourless. It is a pure acrylic sealant, water-based and non-toxic.
  2. Dilute 100ml Glaze at a time with 30ml of water in a different container.
  3. Use a damp, clean colourless cloth (dampen by water and not too wet – only damp) the size of a kitchen towel. (Something like a good quality mutton cloth works well.)
  4. Dip the cloth into the Glaze and water mixture and squeeze to remove any excess moisture.
  5. Evenly apply the Glaze onto the painted surface more or less 4 hours after painting. Wipe in one direction ensuring that all areas are covered evenly. For a more satin finish, more than one coat can be applied 30 minutes apart. We recommend using the Clear Glaze to create water-resistant and UV resistant surfaces.
  6. Exposure to direct sunlight will require 3 coats. (Apply 1 coat every 30 minutes).
  7. To keep hands clean one can use gloves during use or wash hands during and immediately after use with warm soapy water.
Antique Brown Glaze Application
  1. This product creates an antique look on areas with crevices and detail. It is water-based, pure acrylic and non-toxic. On flat surfaces rather make use of a washed technique to get an antique finish instead of the Antique Brown Glaze.
  2. Only start applying the Antique Brown Glaze four hours after paintwork is completed. The Glaze dries very quickly. We recommend to dilute it with water or water together with Matt Black Tjhoko Paint to prolong drying time and allow more time to create the desired look. It can be diluted up to 50%. Work with a damp cloth and an artist brush when applying Antique Brown Glaze.
  3. Paint small areas at a time of the Antique Brown Glaze and gently and evenly wipe with the damp cloth.
Water Slide Transfers
  1. Use transfers only on smooth, flat surfaces.
  2. Paint your surface in one of the Tjhoko Paint colours.
  3. Wait 4 hours and apply Clear Glaze diluted with 30% water and wipe onto the painted surface with a damp cloth. Ensure that the cloth is not too wet – else the application will be streaky and not smooth.
  4. Cut the transfer according to the desired shape and soak in cold tap water until the backing slides from the transparent front piece.
  5. Slide into position onto the painted surface while the free hand secures and hold the transfer in position.
  6. You also need to apply Glaze Clear one hour after the transfer is applied. This will create a sealed barrier on top of the transfer.

Tjhoko Paint Tutorials

Mezzie + Frank Tutorials